Age of Assassins

This is a book that had been sitting in my tbr for way to long. My girlfriend ended up getting started on this trilogy before me and was effusive in her praise. I really enjoyed the Bone Ships so was looking forward to reading more of RJ Barker's work and it did not disappoint.

In many ways this a typical coming of age story, where we follow Girton Club-Foot, an apprentice assassin. However, Barker has built a really impressive world around this. Here, magic is looked upon as evil - it damages the land and the only way to heal it is with blood. The ruling classes are dominated by petty dynastic squabbles and it is these that we are drawn into.

Being assassin themed there are lots of secrets in play and these are gradually revealed in a very satisfying way.

This is mightily impressive debut and I am looking forwarded to delving further into the Wounded Kingdom!